New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-06
MR.. BLAIR'S READY ANSWERS
HIS EXPERIENCE WITH LAWMAKERS
MR.. ANDERSON QUESTIONS HIM CLOSELY IN m.

Mr.. ANDERSON QUESTIONS HIM CLOSELY IN n,
GARD TO THE SIOUX CITY ROAD. =,
The examination Of John T. Blair. the oldest vttn.
yet examined by the Pacifc Railroad Commission -
finished yesterday. Mr. Blair says that he is eIgbty
years DID, but would never suspect 1t from his an
pearance His mental powers seem as vigorous AZ evs.
and his physical endurance may be measured by the st
that he has 90. 900 miles I'm the as Al monss
and last evening started of again on a 2 ooo '
journey through the West
Mr. Anderson was assisted yesterday by Commissions
Littler. but Chairman Psttison did not appear The In
vestgation was confined Monday the Attain Of
the Sioux City Railroad and Mr. Blars business connsc
ton with It, The witness detailed the troubles Of tia
road The suit brought against It by Mr.. Williams who
questioned Mr. Bairs accounts no sad referred IA
Governor Kirkwood master In chancery. was fully
heard by him and dismissed Another action known A.
the Lambert suit begun by the plaintiff to recsyr
one-uinth interest in the stock David Dudley Field
receiy cd fee Of $4,000 for recovering Judgment IN
this case Mr. Blair characterized this action nothing
but q Matchmaking scheme. No bonds he continued
constituting prior lien to that OF the United States
were issued by the company before the road turned
over to tho Government In 1869 The six and half
miles of road to connect the Sioux City with the Cedar
Rapids road, betwccn Missouri Valley and California
Junction. was for $4,000 preferred stock Of
the Sioux City and Pacific He believed the common
stock issued was used In buying lands.
NO END TO THE BOOK QUESTION
Mr. Anderson again reverted to his favorite therae
backs Not DANTE or Milton, or she," but the books
used by the witness In building the Sioux City road
Did the witness know what had become OF thent Mr.
Blair smiled and said that he guessed all the books 10
ever used wore still vault OF the old store where
he kept his Office He did not think, however, that hs
was called upon produce them In regard TO this Of
course, there was difference OF opinion between Mr.
Blair and the Commissioner.
Continuing the witness said that the As 900 acres Of
land owned by the company in Nebraska were sold to
the Sioux CITY and Pacific Land and Town Lot COMPANY,
of which he was president II proved an unfortunate
transaction Nearly all those who engaged If 1t were
financially ruined but Mr. Blair remarked with modest
smile that he still abe to pay one hundred cents on
the dollar The railroad bridge the Mis- ur River
from Missouri Valley 10 Blair cost, he said jist about
tne issue Of the bonds, 81 100000 Then Mr.. Blair
entertained the commissioners win recital Oh sone
OF his experiences with Western Legislatures Betors
cIomorng for them but after they had been actually
put into operation they wanted fieght naoed or hota
Ing almost. ,.o,s. p.u,o,s +, h. wan, y,
has had all manner Of trouble with the Legislatures Of
Nebraska and Iowa AMI the Commissioners When the
company built aud paid for the road II thought II owned
tbs road but IL found out since that IL does not VI
recent years. he said the Legislatures had been rore
trouble than formerly but he denied most emphatcauy
that he had ever used dollar % influence leglsono
some yeDal legislators from his experience III new
Jersey This led him say that Jacob Sharp was be
pitied rather than blamed. lie closed Win ketch OF
the telegraph line along the Sioux City road and Its sale
to the Western Union -.
Before leaving the room Mr. Blair in answer 70 some
questions put by Commissioner llttief saiu iDa. nv
ancestors came from Scotland In 1920 adding; They
brought reli yOn with them. but DO money iney
came religious liberty and they secured tns
Blair the last witness 10 he examined Dut tue CVH
missoners say there Is still one more